SAN FRANCISCO -- Responding to pleas for legal clarity from those on both sides of the issue, the California Supreme Court said Wednesday that it would take up the case of whether a voter-approved ban on same-sex unions was constitutional. The court, however, stopped short of suspending the ban, which California voters passed as Proposition 8 two weeks ago after an expensive and hard-fought campaign. The proposition, which overturned a May decision of the California Supreme Court that legalized same-sex marriage, has been challenged by a number of cities and civil rights groups, which say it is a substantial revision of the state's Constitution, and therefore requires legislative approval.In agreeing Wednesday to take the case, the court suggested in a two-page order signed by six of its seven justices that it would take up that question, as well as lingering questions over the legality of some 18,000 same-sex marriages performed in the state this year. Those ceremonies were halted after Proposition 8 passed.The court has also been asked to consider whether same-sex couples are being denied equal protection under the state's Constitution. An amendment banning same-sex marriages has never been challenged in a state where the marriages had been legal.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Responding to pleas for legal clarity from those on both sides of the issue, the California Supreme Court said Wednesday that it would take up the case of whether a voter-approved ban on same-sex unions was constitutional.
The court, however, stopped short of suspending the ban, which California voters passed as Proposition 8 two weeks ago after an expensive and hard-fought campaign.
The proposition, which overturned a May decision of the California Supreme Court that legalized same-sex marriage, has been challenged by a number of cities and civil rights groups, which say it is a substantial revision of the state's Constitution, and therefore requires legislative approval.
In agreeing Wednesday to take the case, the court suggested in a two-page order signed by six of its seven justices that it would take up that question, as well as lingering questions over the legality of some 18,000 same-sex marriages performed in the state this year. Those ceremonies were halted after Proposition 8 passed.
The court has also been asked to consider whether same-sex couples are being denied equal protection under the state's Constitution. An amendment banning same-sex marriages has never been challenged in a state where the marriages had been legal.
A major Christian Right organization is calling out Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the latest broadside in the post-election battle for the soul of the Republican Party and a clear sign that the culture war might be shifting back to the states. The Family Research Council's latest Action Alert urges social conservatives to contact Schwarzenegger's office directly and tell him to terminate his "inappropriate post-election behavior" regarding the passage of California's controversial Proposition 8 that bans same-sex marriage. Schwarzenegger opposed Prop 8. After the election, he said he hopes the California Supreme Court will overturn the ballot initiative. He predicted that the 18,000 gay and lesbian couples who have already wed would not see their marriages nullified by the initiative. He encouraged Prop 8 opponents to protest "until they get it done."
A major Christian Right organization is calling out Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the latest broadside in the post-election battle for the soul of the Republican Party and a clear sign that the culture war might be shifting back to the states.
The Family Research Council's latest Action Alert urges social conservatives to contact Schwarzenegger's office directly and tell him to terminate his "inappropriate post-election behavior" regarding the passage of California's controversial Proposition 8 that bans same-sex marriage.
Schwarzenegger opposed Prop 8. After the election, he said he hopes the California Supreme Court will overturn the ballot initiative. He predicted that the 18,000 gay and lesbian couples who have already wed would not see their marriages nullified by the initiative. He encouraged Prop 8 opponents to protest "until they get it done."
